£1.1m project aims to increase size of Tyrone cemeteries

PLANS have been revealed to increase the number of burial places at three cemeteries in West Tyrone.

Derry City and Strabane District Council wants to expand the capacities of Strabane, Castlederg and Mountcastle cemetery in Dunnamanagh.

The initial phase of the project will explore the possibility of using available space within the cemeteries for additional burial plots.

However, the council also wants to look at securing planning permission to extend the size of the graveyards.

The new project, which will also look at creating new burial spaces at Ballyoan cemetery in Derry, will cost an estimated £1.1m.

The council, which manages 10 cemeteries in Derry and Tyrone, has issued a tender for a consultancy team to lead the new cemetery project.